Improvement in locks



A. MERRIAM.

Look.

No. 215,649. Patented May 20, 1 79.

fig. 5.

WITNESSES [NI/EH70]? NFEl' -RS, FHOYO-LITNOGRAPIQER. WASHINGTON D cUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LINCOLN A. MERRIAM,

OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN LOCKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 215.649, dated May 20,1879; applicationtiled October 14, 1878.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LINCOLN A. MERRIAM, ofthe city, county, and State of New York, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Locks and Latches, of which the following is aspecification.

Hitherto, with the exception of a few costly locks made for special use,the tumblers, though adjusted at considerable expense, have varied solittle that by leaving out of a master-key a few minute and unimportantadjustments it will operate a whole class, and they are soinappropriately designed that a skillful operator, with the rudestinstrument, by progressive approaches, can throw the bolt.

The object of my invention is to construct locks and latches with asystem of cheaply-adjusted tumblers that shall be mechanically secureagainst being operated except by its own key or an exact duplicatethereof.

In the accompanying drawings, in which similar letters of referenceindicate like parts, Figure 1 is a perspective View of the escutcheon orcase containing the tumblers. Fig. 2 is a view of the tumblers in theirnatural position under operation of the spring, and their forcedposition operated by the key, and as they may be differently made. Fig.3 is a view of that part containing the slot n, and in construction is aconstituent part of the lock or latch (or its escutcheon) seen inFig. 1. Fig. 4 is a view of the tumbler rack or cylinder with thetumblers inserted in its slot m. Fig. 5 is an end elevation, showing thestop device.

H is a stationary part of a lock, latch, or

their escutcheon, in which is the slot or slots n, into which the endsof the tumblers enter when the key E is withdrawn, thus securing therack or cylinder A in position.

The tumbler rack or cylinder A, Fig. 4, is adjusted in or to alock orlatch, and, by means of some suitable connection, in turning operatesthe bolt or catch, as required. The rack or cylinder A has the slot m,in which the tumblers B and the spring or springs O are placed. Byturning the rack or cylinder A the slot or is brought in line with theslot or slots or, made in the frame of the lock or latch (or itsescutcheon) at suitable points for shifting the bolt or catch, at whichpoint it is arrested by the stop made by the point 1 and the shoulder orshoulders k, Fig. 5, or their equivalent. The slots m and n being in theposition of one continuous slot, the tumblers B move in them as they areoperated by the spring G and the irregular-sided key E. In this linealposition of the slots m and n, the key may be inserted or withdrawn. Thetumblers B, Fig. 2, are notched, drilled, or slotted, to receive thespring or springs O and the curved .aud irregular-sided key E.

While I regard'the use of the one spring passing transversely throughand having like bearing upon all the tumblers as its most efi'ective andeconomic use, I am aware that the spring may be divided at someintermediate point in the tumblers; or the tumblers may be soconstructedas to clear a part of them from the action of one spring and leave themto be acted upon by another; or tumblers may be placed in the lock thatare not actuated by 2 spring at all, as after enough tumblers artproperly placed and actuated for a secure ant efficient lock othersshould be inserted. B1 inserting this key to its place the tumblers arrwholly withdrawn from the slot or slots a intr the slot m in the tumblerrack or cylinder A allowing the rack or cylinder to turn 'freel; andoperate the bolt or catch; and the with drawal of the key allows thetumblers to cros the joint between the frame or escutcheon the lock orlatch and the tumbler rack or cy inder A, binding the rack or cylinderin pos tion, and thereby securing the bolt or catch.

What I claim isg 1. The spring or springs O, passing tran verselythrough and common to the tumble: of the lock or latch, placedsubstantially pa allel to each other, and operating them in tl mannerand for the uses set forth.

2. The lock or latch having the tumblers: moved in the slots m and n, asdescribed, 1 the key E, and the spring or springs G, pa: ingtransversely through and common to sa tumblers, constructed and arrangedin t manner and for the uses described.

LINCOLN A. MERRIAM.

Witnesses:

A. MOORE, WILLIs B. MAGRUDER.

